Hi PaPa!

Darin's dad came down and spent a week with us in the beginning of February.  Evie has now gotten to spend quality time with all the grandparents; probably more importantly at this point is they've gotten to spend quality time with her!

Josie had to get in on the action.
She keeps the house interesting!

I think this one is so funny!

Bye, Bye PaPa!  Until next time!

I'm Goin' To Carolina...

Or, I should say, we went to North Carolina a month ago (already!) for Grandma Coble's retirement party.  She retired from Duke University after 20 years.  Pretty unbelievable to work somewhere for that long (at least to me who changed jobs every year or so)!  She might have started a trend, since my dad retired from Frito-Lay after 25 years.  Greener pastures are ahead!

This was Evie's first plane ride.  And Mommy and Daddy's first plane ride with a baby and her absolutely ridiculous amount of stuff.  Evie was a pro and we didn't do so bad either.  Security was a little nerve wrecking and hectic, but we managed as every other parent who has traveled with a baby has done.  And, because we flew Southwest and I am convinced they are the absolute best airline out there, they let us use her car seat in the plane because there were extra seats available.  She basically slept through the whole thing and only whimpered a couple times.  Not too shabby!  There are an obscene number of pictures on here, so I apologize!

Chillin' in her own seat.  Such a big girl!

Meeting Great Granny for the first time.

Happy retirement!!!!!

Evie thinks Granny is pretty funny!

Hangin' out with Mrs. Gillis

And Mr. Gillis too

So many people, so little time!
Gotta squeeze a bottle in sometime!  

Peek-a-boo!

Evie & Uncle Neil

Apparently I now need to be holding something at all times.
Molly and me

Smiley girl!

Evie and PaPa Coble

Grandma Beth finally got a turn!

Adios North Carolina

Happy, and tired, girl in her car seat.
Thankful no one is holding her for a while.

Until Mom got her hands on her!
Although, if she's getting food, she's happy to be held!

Stretching the legs a little after the bottle.
Ready to get back in her seat.

It was a good, but quick, trip!

Who turned the lights out in here?

This cracked me up.  Hope it makes your day a little brighter!  And I also hope you don't end up sea sick (or "swing" sick)...you have been warned.

Have I loved you enough today?

"Have I loved you enough today?" is a question I ask myself, more than Evie, every day since she was born.  It's something I worry about.  I know that sounds silly because since I stay at home what else could I be doing other than loving her?  But, there really is always something to do.  Whether it's cleaning, cooking, laundry, preparing for the day, preparing for the next day, writing thank yous, writing blog posts, running errands, taking the dogs for a walk, yelling at the dogs to quit barking/digging/whining...the list goes on.  This is not to say I think I have more to do than other people, I know this is definitely not the case, but regardless, life's little mundane tasks must be completed.  And I honestly enjoy completing them.  But every once in a while, I stop and think, "Am I loving you enough today?"

Of course my love for Evie just grows stronger and deeper every day, so that's not really the question.  What I really mean is "Have I appreciated you enough?"  "Have I held you enough?"  "Have I done the best that I could do?"

I don't know if it's because I had my first baby "later in life" that it's so glaringly obvious or because I have people telling me all the time, but time really is precious.  The number of days that she wants to be held, sung to, kissed & hugged are finite.  She is not always going to want me to be around, smile when she sees me or laugh when I make a funny noise.  And that's the way it's supposed to be.  That's one of the ways I'll know I'm raising an independent girl.  But knowing that is all coming makes me want to stop time some days and makes me appreciate her all the more.  But then there are the other days when I have a load of laundry in the washer, a load in the dryer, a load to be folded, the dogs whining to go out, then barking at a doorbell on TV and then chasing the cat, the counter is littered with a partially prepped supper for dinner that evening and a screaming baby who decided she was hungry after 2 hours instead of the normal 3-4.  Those are the days I really think, "Am I loving you enough today?"

I think because I'm so aware of it, the answer is always "yes."  Yes, I am loving her enough.  Yes, I am holding her enough.  Yes, I am appreciating her enough.  And yes, I am always doing my best.  But, it doesn't stop me from wondering.  It doesn't stop me from yearning for the time to go a little slower so I can love her a little bit more.  Breathe her in.  Memorize her.  Sometimes at night, even when I'm so thankful she's sleeping, I just stare the baby monitor and watch her and think, "I know you are the best thing I will ever do with my life."  And I know that I'll have done a good job when I can ask her the question, "Have I loved you enough?" and she can answer, without hesitation, "Yes."

Look what I can do!

Evie had a couple of real smiles prior to her 8th week of life, but they were few and far between.  Not so, anymore!  Ever since Jan. 8th, she is a smiley, happy girl and we're loving it!  She coos and babbles and smiles and we're both certain she's the cutest baby ever.  

Here is a video of our little baby showing off her new talent.  (Please excuse my voice.  I'd tell ya to mute it, but she coos a little and that's cute at least!)

How can you not love that face?!?

The First 8 Weeks

I'm fairly certain these were the fastest eight weeks of our lives.  Evie has changed so much, not only physically, but mentally as well.  She is becoming more alert and aware of her environment and it's very fun to watch and be a part of.

She had her 8 week check up on the 9th and here are her stats:
Weight: 9lb. 8oz. (14th percentile)
Height: 22"
Head circumference: 15"

This is all great news and she's growing at a very good rate.

These were her stats at her 2 week check up:
Weight: 6lb. 6oz. (4th percentile--what a runt!)
Height: 19"
Head circumference: 13 1/2"

I've been taking weekly pictures of our little peanut, and here they are.  Grow, baby, grow!

Our New Normal

Well, the days without company here have been very busy ones!  I've discovered that Evie no longer eats, sleeps and poops all day, she also is awake and likes to be entertained!  And I'm very happy to oblige.  However, things still need to be accomplished around the house as well, so here's a little rundown as of late.

Evie sleeps on the job.  I'm hoping she starts to perk up
and actually contribute around here, but I'm not holding my breath.
After all, she can't even hold her head up yet.

Josie, on the other hand, is earning her keep.  Not only does she dig holes,
well, ditches, in the back yard, she also babysits.  Darin and I are really
looking forward to a night out now that we know Josie is so responsible.

Evie had her first massive blowout the other day resulting in her first tub bath (besides the misguided attempt at one when she was only a week old).  As I was gathering the items necessary for the bath, Darin was going to undress her...until the gagging started.  So entertaining.  I then took over and as I was trying to figure out how to get her onesie off, Darin said, "Do you think we should just cut her out of it?"  I about died laughing.  She wouldn't have any clothes left!  And that's sayin' something considering we had to bring another dresser into her room to accommodate this fashionista's wardrobe!  Thank goodness she likes her baths!  (Why do I look like I'm about to eat her in this picture?)

Her Baby Einstein play gym is a lifesaver!

And so is her swing.  Wonder if she'll still fit in that when she
hits the Terrible Twos...!  Kidding.  My kid will never be terrible.

Conversing with Daddy.  Evie has quite the sense of humor already.

Life is good, regardless of how routine our days are, it's really good.